Cyclists Get Wearable Airbag Protection Within 2 Years

Professional cyclists traveling at breakneck speeds could soon have the same airbag protection that keeps motorcycle racers safe.

Van Rysel, working with airbag specialist In&motion, has created a race-ready skinsuit with an integrated airbag system that deploys in just 60 milliseconds after detecting a crash. The lightweight gear weighs only 700 grams total and is already being tested on professional riders.

The timing couldn't be better. In February, the UCI (professional cycling's governing body) called for new safety innovations as riders push faster speeds than ever before. This airbag answers that challenge by protecting areas helmets miss: the core, neck, and spine.

Unlike clunky add-on systems, this airbag integrates seamlessly into the skinsuit itself. The aerodynamic design includes heat-dissipating fabric and abrasion-resistant materials that reduce road rash and skin injuries. When sensors detect impact, the airbag inflates to cushion the upper body in a fraction of a second.

The Ripple Effect

Van Rysel product manager Jocelyn Bar puts the innovation in perspective: "Behind every race number, there's a human being." His team sees this technology as the next evolution in cycling safety, comparing it to what helmets represented 20 years ago.

The system draws proven technology from MotoGP racing, where similar airbags have protected motorcycle riders for years. But Van Rysel's version is significantly lighter while maintaining the same lightning-fast deployment speed. Professional riders are putting it through final validation tests before potential race use.

The company plans a consumer release within two years, meaning everyday cyclists could access professional-grade protection by 2028. Future versions may offer even more extensive body coverage as the technology evolves.

For now, the focus remains on getting the current design race-ready and proving it can prevent the catastrophic injuries that have long been accepted as part of cycling's risk.

Safety innovation is accelerating faster than the riders themselves.